Facts & figures
Our musical instruments
- 91 The number of years since the carillon was dedicated
- 54 The number of bells in the carillon
- 4005 The number of pipes in the organ
Carillon and organ
The ceremonial voices of the University
The carillon and organ, our two largest musical instruments, are a part of University life and can be heard throughout the semester, as well as at special events.
If you walk through the Quadrangle on a Tuesday at lunchtime, you’ll hear the bells of the carillon chiming from the Clocktower. Played live by one of our team of dedicated carillonists, you will hear anything from a classical song to a familiar tune, like the theme song from Game of Thrones, or maybe a Disney classic or a current pop song. Known formally as the University of Sydney War Memorial Carillon, it was dedicated on 25 April 1928. We celebrated its 90th anniversary on Anzac Day, 2018.
Inside the Great Hall lives the von Beckerath Organ. A visually and aurally spectacular instrument, the organ is played at more than 80 graduation processions each year. With more than 4000 pipes, it is recognised as one of Australia's finest pipe organs.
The Manager, University Organ and Carillon, leads an enthusiastic team of casual musicians, many of whom have been playing the instruments for years.
More information on the carillon and organ
The University of Sydney War Memorial Carillon was dedicated on Anzac Day, 25 April 1928. It commemorates the 197 undergraduates, graduates and staff who died in the First World War. The National Carillon in Canberra, dedicated in 1970, is a sister carillon to the University of Sydney War Memorial Carillon.
In 1973, the top bells were returned to the original founders for recasting and, at the same time, five additional small bells were cast. The rebuilt carillon now has 54 bells and a range of four and a half octaves. The lowest note, called the bourdon, is G on the bottom line of the bass stave (A flat in terms of pitch). This bell weighs approximately four and a half tonnes. The 23 lower bells were cast by the Taylor Bell Foundry of Loughborough, England. The upper 31 treble bells were cast by the Whitechapel Bell Foundry of London.
Sundays on campus
Regular Sunday carillon recitals and tours are temporarily on hold.
Tuesdays during semester
The carillon is played on Tuesdays between 1–2 pm during the University semester. Song requests are welcome – please submit your request via email to titus.grenyer@sydney.edu.au. Note, there are no recitals during exam periods or the Christmas break.
Other performances
Contact the University Carillon and Organ team via email at titus.grenyer@sydney.edu.au to enquire about carillon performances for weddings and other occasions.
If you can’t listen on campus, you can download sample audio files. These samples come from the CD Carillon and Organ.
The organ, completed in 1972, was designed by Rudolf von Beckerath of Hamburg, Germany, and built in conjunction with Ronald Sharp who built the Sydney Opera House organ. They were assisted by architect T.E. O’Mahony and the Deputy Principal’s Office.
The organ has three manuals and pedals, a mechanical key and electric stop action, 54 stops, 79 ranks and 4005 pipes. The cedar case, which blends harmoniously with the architecture of the Great Hall, was constructed in the University’s Joinery Shop.
Looking towards the organ, the three manual and pedal console can be seen on the left. Above it are large principal pipes from the Great division (middle keyboard), with the rest of the Great pipes situated immediately behind these display pipes. Above the Great is the Swell division (top keyboard), which is the expressive section of the instrument enclosed in a large wooden box with front shutters operated by the Swell pedal at the console. In the centre of the gallery, jutting out into the hall, is the Ruckpositiv division (bottom keyboard), and on the right side, the Pedal division.
Arranged symmetrically across the two large cases are the spectacular horizontal pipes of the Chancellor’s Trumpet stop, added in 2012 by the Beckerath company to mark the 40th anniversary of the organ, as a gift from Sydney University's Chancellor’s Committee.
Free organ recitals take place in the Great Hall on various Sundays during the year. There are no more recitals taking place in 2023, but please keep an eye on the University event calendar for recitals in 2024.
Titus Grenyer, Manager, University Organ and Carillon
Titus Grenyer joined the University as Manager, University Organist and Carillonist, on 3 June 2024. Titus is one of Australia's leading organists, with a passion for sharing accessible music with local and international audiences. Titus is an alumnus of the University of Sydney, having completed a Bachelor of Music in Organ Studies at the Sydney Conservatorium of Music in 2019 with First Class Honours. He is also a violinist and pianist, a teacher and an active composer.
Titus’ role is to ensure that the University of Sydney War Memorial Carillon and the Von Beckerath Organ are used to their maximum potential to the benefit of the University and community - including staff, students, alumni and wider community audiences. He manages and plays at a program of events and is responsible for promoting and raising the profile of the instruments, to establish the University of Sydney as a leading institution for musical excellence and learning, and to introduce more people to the organ and carillon.
Past managers
Amy Johansen
Dr Jill Forrest